africanlegalstudies.blog – Cutting edge analysis on key issues in African politics, law and development

AI’s Next Frontier Could Supercharge Tax Havens. Here’s Why That Matters
Introduction The quiet revolution in AI isn’t just changing how we work and live. It’s about to transform how wealth moves around the globe – and not necessarily for the better. As AI systems become autonomous, they threaten to supercharge tax avoidance strategies in ways that could devastate public finances worldwide. Consider a future where…
Energy Transition Prospects in Sub-Saharan Africa: Assessment of Nigerian Legal Framework and its Justice Outcomes
Introduction As the largest oil producer in Africa, Nigeria has been typified by regulatory hurdles and socioeconomic disparities that encumber its energy transition efforts. Despite the country’s abundance in renewable energy resources such as solar, wind and hydroelectric power, the renewable energy sector stays infantile due to haphazard implementation of policies, bureaucratic inefficiencies and constant…
The Difference between Migrants and Refugees
Introduction 2025 has begun and we are all witnessing the first developments and changes resulting from political decisions made last year. Recently, right-wing parties and news channels have been instrumentalizing citizens’ fear of foreigners ignoring the fact that we all have the same human rights. We must question everything and be careful not to fall…

Environmental Law and Climate Justice: Case Study on the East African Crude Oil Pipeline – Branching Scenario Tool
Introduction Welcome to the Branching Scenarios Tool “Environmental Law and Climate Justice: Case Study on the East African Crude Oil Pipeline”! This digital tool was developed as part of a seminar held by the Chair of African Legal Studies at the University Bayreuth in winter term 2024/25. Students participated in a case study on the…
Environmental Impact Assessment in Rwanda: Legal Framework and Challenges
Introduction Environmental impact assessments are essential processes used to evaluate the potential effects of a proposed project on the environment before implementation. In Africa, their integration into national legislation varies significantly, but most countries recognize their importance for sustainable development. Rwanda’s environmental law, Article 6, states that “The principle of information dissemination and incentives for…
International law instruments for greenhouse gas mitigation and sustainable development in Nigeria
Introduction Climate change in Nigeria could, for example, be attributed to the production of fossil fuels in which greenhouse gases (GHGs) are emitted. [1] A decrease in the production of fossil fuels is likely to affect the development of Nigeria. Hence, as a member of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Nigeria will have…

Investment and Investor Protection in Somalia
Introduction With Somalia’s accession to the East African Community (EAC), the internal market of this community is also becoming increasingly attractive for foreign investments. A common market with over 300 million populations is developing, and there is not only a common internal market. It also has an excellent strategic location from the Indian Ocean to…
The East African Community: Past Experiences and Lessons for the Future
Introduction The East Africa Community (EAC) is one of the oldest regional economic blocs in the world.[1] Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania, as members of EAC, had a customs union as early as 1927.[2] While this regional bloc collapsed in 1977, it was re-established in 2000 and grew from three to eight countries, including Uganda, Kenya,…
The Legal Analysis of Community Rights in Environment Decision-Making in the Federal Republic of Somalia
Introduction People often feel hopeless and powerless to protect the environment, themselves, their families and their individual rights. However, through the creative use of the law, a number of notable successes for the environment and people have been recorded in many countries.[1] Environmental decision-making in Somalia stands at the intersection of legal, social, and environmental considerations, with…